When people think about industry advances, the first thoughts that usually come to mind are automobiles or, more obviously, computers. But logistics, especially cold chain logistics, for shipping temperature-sensitive products also greatly benefits from advances, whether that is greater fuel efficiency for a transport vehicle or insulated box liners for more passive temperature protection.
Automation is a field of technology that can bring a wealth of efficiency to a broad range of areas, and even in cold chain logistics, there are places where automation can make some big strides. Here are some of the potential ways that automation and insulated box liners can improve this process.
Automated Sorting
Right now, automated sorting is in its infancy and requires an investment in expensive equipment. For example, to run goods through a conveyor belt and have machines know exactly how to sort those boxes, human judgment is a cheaper alternative, but that is changing.
New sorting technology no longer relies on expensive bespoke equipment, and with the right packaging, conventional sensors like cameras can get the job done. Moreover, these systems are less prone to error, often averaging only 1-2 errors per month versus the 12-15 of a human.
Storage & Retrieval
Another area where automation can make a big difference is in the storage and retrieval of products, especially in a warehousing context. With automated storage, items can be packed together much more densely and tightly, as a machine requires less space for movement than a human, allowing for a greater utilization of storage space.
With automated storage, there is also a far less likely chance of things getting misplaced, as tracking systems are implemented to monitor the progress of both incoming and outgoing goods.
Automated Cooling
Similar to storage, automated temperature control is another area where automation can help. If humans aren’t required for storage, this means less interference with goods that are stored in refrigerated areas. Less disturbance means fewer chances for temperature variances to be introduced.
This would mean human intervention would only be required for maintenance and repairs, which would result in a more comfortable experience for human employees and greater item integrity for those products that are safely stored and reduced in exposure.
Planning For The Future With Insulated Box Liners
As with most progress, the introduction and implementation of new automated systems is gradual. Old systems will go offline as new ones are introduced at various stages. But if your business involves shipping products that might require insulated box liners or other forms of passive temperature protection, we can help. Contact us and obtain a quote.
